Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro debate security in 1st confrontation

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, participated on Sunday night (18) in the first debate of the second round of the 2026 elections. The meeting took place in the Bandeirantes Group studios, in São Paulo, a week before the vote that will define the next president, scheduled for October 25.

The debate was scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m., but began around 8:15 p.m. It is the first direct confrontation between Lula and Flavio in this stage of the campaign. The two did not participate in the first presidential debate promoted by the Band, on August 23, still during the first round, when they were present Renan Santos (Mission), Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) and Augusto Cury (Avante).

Public Safety Opens Up Confrontation

The first question of the debate was about public safety. The candidates were asked about the advance of organized crime, the domination of territories by factions and militias, and the reduction of the penal age. In the first block, Lula and Flavio answered questions from the presenters and then participated in a direct confrontation.

By the rules presented by the Band, each candidate has a 15-minute bench in the confrontation to manage as they prefer. The dynamics allowed the presidential candidates to detail their proposals for the area, which focused attention at the beginning of the program.

Flavio promises war on narcoterrorism

First to respond, Flávio Bolsonaro stated that, if elected, it will declare “war on narcoterrorism” and classify the Capital’s First Command (PCC), the Red Command and the militias as narcoterrorism organizations. The classification is part of the candidate’s government plan.

The candidate also said that he intends to recover territories dominated by the organizações criminosas and harden the treatment against members of factions. He cited the anti-faction law and stated that leaders of these organizations could be imprisoned for up to 80 years.

“I’ll get every meter back. I'll get every street back. I'll get every neighborhood back. I'll get every city back. I will recover every territory that has been taken from the Brazilian people,” said Flávio Bolsonaro. The senator also said that criminals will be “arrested or neutralized by our police” and accused the current government of adopting a policy of release.

Lula defends PEC and joint action

Lula was the second to speak. He stated that public safety is the responsibility of states under the 1988 Constitution and said that the Public Safety PEC will expand the Union’s participation in the area. The president stated that if the proposal is approved by the Senate, he will create the Ministry of Public Security.

Lula also cited the Anti-Facture Law and said his government intends to fight organized crime both in the territories dominated by the factions and among members of greater economic power. The law against factions was sanctioned by Lula in March and expanded penalties and investigative instruments.

The president also advocated a joint action of Union, states and municipalities to recover territories dominated by organizações criminosas and militias. “For the worker and for the community, protection. For the bandit, prison,” Lula said.

Next steps of the campaign

Sunday’s debate is the first in a series of commitments in the final straight of the second round. Within a week of the vote, candidates intensify agendas in strategic states and participate in new shoeboxes. The Boca no Trombone portal tracks the unfolding of the presidential dispute and brings real-time updates.

Read Also

Vox Brazil: Lula has 51% and Flávio Bolsonaro 49% in technical tie

Propaganda on the radio: Lula and Flávio focus on attacks

TSE denies Flavio's request to ban Lula on the Plateau

Font

g1.globo.com